Top Tips for Wheel Loader Bucket Selection (with Guest Mark Mohn)

That’s what most people ask when deciding what’s the best bucket to use on their wheel loader.

They want to move as much material as possible, so it seems obvious to them that they should buy whatever bucket fits their wheel loader and has the most volume. In reality, volume is not an adequate measure of the capacity of a loader.

A large bucket can actually end up lowering productivity if it’s more difficult to fill. That means a smaller bucket that’s easier to fill can give you more bang for your buck.

So how do you pick the right wheel loader bucket for the application?

You want to account for the nature of the material being handled, the condition of the wheel loader, the operator’s skill, and the transport distance. If the transport distance is far, you also want to consider the risk of spillage. Your aim is to find the right size and the right shape.

For instance, the Volvo General Purpose Bucket and the Volvo Rehandling Flat Floor Bucket look pretty similar. But the General Purpose Bucket is the best choice for loading easily broken material from banks if you fit the bucket with welded teeth. And the Rehandling Flat Floor Bucket is the best choice for handling, stockpiling and loading processed material like sand, gravel and aggregate, as it’s optimized for soft underfoot conditions.

Don’t confuse buckets for a simple attachment, and do not underestimate their impact on your business. Next time consider more questions. Instead of, “How big is the bucket?” ask, “How is the bucket designed to be used?”